C22 !

Ding! Mission Reward: 10 attribute points and pet space unlocked.

Ding! Full functionality of the System Mall has been restored.

Upon seeing the system mission, Qin Buyi paused, a look of exasperation crossing his face.

"Really? Forced transactions now? Out of the blue, I'm saddled with an egg that I have to hatch within three days?"

Despite his frustration, the mission rewards lifted Qin Buyi's spirits slightly. A mission worth ten attribute points and unlocking pet space wasn't too shabby.

If all went according to plan, this egg would hatch into his very first pet. The thought brought a sense of anticipation bubbling up within him.

He turned the basketball-sized, pristine white egg over in his hands, contemplating the best method to hatch it.

"Should I use fire?"

"Maybe electric heat?"

"Or just bury it in the soil?"

He mulled over the options without a clue. His own fate was now intertwined with that of the egg, and a single misstep could be fatal—for the egg, and consequently, for him, given the system's unforgiving nature.

After some deliberation, Qin Buyi decided to consult the system directly.

"System, how do I hatch this egg?"

Answering this question would cost ten System Mall points. Would the host like to proceed?

"You're the one who set this mission, and now you're charging me for help?" Qin Buyi scoffed.

The host could opt out of paying, but should any harm come to the egg in the process...

The system trailed off, but Qin Buyi got the message loud and clear.

"Right now, I don't have any System Mall points. Can I pay you back later?" he inquired, probing for a loophole.

No! The host may exchange points: 10,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones per point.

The system's response was a blunt refusal to Qin Buyi's suggestion of an IOU.

Opening the storage ring gifted by Ying Zhi, he surveyed the neatly stacked boxes of Spirit Stones. These were among the few assets he could liquidate for points.

The treasures he had received from Qingqian were far more valuable than these Spirit Stones—priceless, in fact. It seemed wasteful to trade them for mere System Mall points.

As he pondered his limited options, Qin Buyi couldn't help but wonder if he would ever have the chance to return to the Falling Star Mountain Range and reunite with Ying Zhi, now that he was back on Blue Star.

He stopped insisting and pulled out ten boxes of Low Grade Spirit Stones, handing them over to the system. "Can you tell me how to hatch this egg now?"

Once the system received the ten boxes of Low Grade Spirit Stones, its demeanor shifted instantly. "My dear host, I am delighted to assist you. Simply place the egg atop the pile of Spirit Stones, and it will begin to hatch."

"Is it really that straightforward?" Qin Buyi asked, skeptical.

"Yes, it's that straightforward. I've calculated the incubation will require approximately 2.9 million Low Grade Spirit Stones."

"I... Damn it! System, you're definitely doing this on purpose. I've changed my mind about wanting this extra reward. Can I return it?" Qin Buyi's voice was tinged with frustration.

"That's not possible! Moreover, this egg shares a certain connection with you, host," the system informed him.

"How could that be?" Qin Buyi expressed his disbelief.

"The egg was extracted from the star core and has survived until now by drawing in spiritual energy from its surroundings. Had you not interrupted its hatching process, it would have naturally emerged from its shell in a few decades."

The system offered a gentle reminder, "Hatching this egg is truly worth the investment, so don't fret over a few million Spirit Stones."

With that, the system fell silent.

Faced with no alternative, Qin Buyi no longer hesitated and emptied all the Spirit Stones from his storage ring: ninety boxes of Low Grade, ten boxes of Middle Grade, and one box of Top Grade Spirit Stones. Altogether, these amounted to the required 2.9 million Low Grade Spirit Stones.

The Spirit Stones quickly formed a small hill within the room, saturating the air with thick spiritual energy that could extend a mortal's life with just one breath.

Qin Buyi carefully placed the egg at the peak of the mound. As soon as it settled, the rich spiritual energy in the room seemed to find its destination, flowing ceaselessly towards the basketball-sized egg. Glancing at his now-empty storage ring, Qin Buyi felt a sudden kinship with Qingqian's perspective.

He thought of how he had duped Qingqian into parting with many treasures using food, leaving the formidable Nine-Tailed Demon Emperor powerless against him. That same Demon Emperor was likely unleashing his fury on some less fortunate souls right now.

Qin Buyi received a total of five truly valuable items from Qingqian.

The most prized was a Jade Pendant, intricately carved with a Nine-tail Fox.

Following in value was Qingqian's weapon, a crimson long sword.

Three other items were of comparable quality: a red handkerchief, a bracelet, and... an undergarment.

Recalling the moment he received the undergarment, Qin Buyi nearly teased Qingqian, only to be met with her fierce glare.

Even now, Qin Buyi occasionally mused to himself, "Demons are quite liberal, exchanging such intimate belongings."

The rest of the items were of lesser quality, holding little practical value.

Qingqian had entrusted these treasures to Qin Buyi without ever considering that he might elude her pursuit.

She believed that once she freed herself, she could reclaim everything from him, with interest.

However, plans often go awry. Qin Buyi's immediate return to Blue Star upon completing his mission thwarted her entire scheme.

Meanwhile, Qin Buyi was engrossed in the hatching process.

Over in S City, at the Cultivator Association Branch.

"Xiuwen, how's your father been?" President Lan Tianhe was conversing with the young man before him when he suddenly turned, looking in Qin Buyi's direction, and exclaimed in surprise:

"Such dense spiritual energy! Blue Star's spiritual energy has been scarce for ages. Who could be behind this generosity?"

Xiuwen, puzzled, responded to Lan Tianhe, "I don't feel anything."

"Haha, only those who have reached Perfection in the Nascent Infant Stage can sense it from this distance. You've just broken through to the Nascent Infant Stage, so naturally, you wouldn't detect it. Come on, let's check it out."

With that, Lan Tianhe grabbed Xiuwen and soared from the association's top floor.

A minute later, looking down at the worn-out neighborhood swarming with flies by the garbage cans, Lan Tianhe said:

"Here we are. This is the place."

"Uncle Lan, with such concentrated spiritual energy, there must be at least a million Low Grade Spirit Stones, right?" Xiuwen's eyes gleamed with avarice.

"Conservatively, yes, at least a million. But the user's approach to the Spirit Stones is rather unsophisticated and heavy-handed."

"If we deploy a Spirit Gathering Formation to aid with the Spirit Stones, we could perfectly harness every wisp of spiritual energy, preventing any from spilling out like it is now."

Lan Tianhe explained, while Xiuwen, standing nearby, thought to himself, "If all these Spirit Stones were mine, I could make another breakthrough in my cultivation in no time."

"When the time comes, I'll have Father approach the Lan family with a marriage proposal. Maybe... no, they will surely agree."

The image of a graceful figure surfaced in Xiuwen's mind—none other than Lan Linglong, the most powerful among the Lan family's younger generation.

Remembering how she had never spared him a glance, a surge of anger welled up in Xiuwen.

"Hmph, once I secure these Spirit Stones and achieve a breakthrough, I'll have Father propose to the Lan family on my behalf. Then, even if you scorn me, you'll have no choice but to marry me."

Lost in his daydreams about the future, Xiuwen's greed swelled, and he swiftly flew towards Qin Buyi's location.

Approaching Qin Buyi's room, he unleashed all his strength in an attack.

"Boom!" A thunderous crash echoed as the window shattered, and Xiuwen burst through it.

"Not good!" Lan Tianhe finally snapped to attention. Seeing Xiuwen's rash move, he winced with a headache.

He inwardly cursed, "This pampered, foolish young master! I wouldn't dare be so wasteful, and how could he be just anyone? Provoking him so rashly is sheer folly!"

Despite his irritation with Xiuwen's behavior, he knew he had to check on the situation.

It would be difficult to explain if this young master came to harm on his watch.

Lan Tianhe zipped into Qin Buyi's room with incredible speed.

He arrived to find Xiuwen, who had initiated the attack, helplessly grasped by the throat by Qin Buyi, unable to move.

Qin Buyi had been aware of their presence since their arrival.

But his attention was entirely on incubating the egg. As long as he wasn't bothered, he had no reason to intervene.

In the next instant, the other party launched an attack on him, leading to the scene Lan Tianhe had witnessed.

Qin Buyi's eyes flashed with a chilling murderous intent, and the room seemed to overflow with the aura of death.

Xiuwen, caught in the crosshairs, shivered with fear as if plunged into an icy cellar.

"Such terrifying murderous intent! How many lives must one take to forge such dread?" Lan Tianhe thought, alarmed. He watched as Xiuwen nearly met his end at Qin Buyi's hands and quickly stepped forward with a placating smile.

"He acted on impulse. I beg you to show mercy."

Qin Buyi's grip did not loosen. His icy gaze flicked over Lan Tianhe, and he tightened his hold slightly.

Xiuwen's eyes rolled back in terror. Lan Tianhe, acting fast, pulled out ten boxes of Low Grade Spirit Stones from his storage ring, offering them up.

"Young Master, here are 100,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones. I implore you to spare his life."

Noticing Lan Tianhe's consistent apologetic demeanor and the substantial offer of Spirit Stones, Qin Buyi considered the egg beside him, still greedily drawing in spiritual energy, and realized the other party hadn't inflicted any real harm.

He accepted the Spirit Stones and released his hold on Xiuwen's neck.

"Cough, cough!" Xiuwen gasped for air once freed.

It took him a moment to regain his composure. He scrambled behind Lan Tianhe, his eyes wide with terror as he stared at Qin Buyi.

He had felt certain that any further resistance would have led to his dismemberment.

Finding a semblance of safety behind Lan Tianhe, the fear in Xiuwen's eyes began to subside. He attempted to intimidate Qin Buyi, "You realize who my father is..."

"Smack!"

Before he could finish, Lan Tianhe slapped Xiuwen across the face, commanding, "Silence!"

When Xiuwen looked ready to protest, Lan Tianhe shot him a stern glare and turned to Qin Buyi with an apology. "We apologize for the intrusion, Young Master. We'll take our leave now."

With that, Lan Tianhe grabbed Xiuwen and they swiftly exited through the window. Before departing, Lan Tianhe cast one last glance at the white egg nestled among the Spirit Stones, continuously soaking up spiritual energy.

A warmth surged in his chest as a flurry of thoughts flooded his mind, but he quickly quelled the rising tide of greed.

Despite being in the dark about Qin Buyi's precise origins, the man's formidable cultivation level and the palpable aura of lethal intent made it clear that he was no one to be taken lightly.